High rate of needle reuse among insulin-users in India

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Kolkata, Nov 1: Flagging India's low rate of insulinisation, a group of experts here on Wednesday drew attention to the "disturbingly high" rate of needle reuse with both syringes and pens among diabetics.

Highlighting the importance of correct injection practices, leading clinical experts in diabetes care said with only about three million injecting insulin out of 69.2 million who live with diabetes, India has a low rate of insulinisation.

"Insulin injection is not at all painful. Shorter needles can provide safety from injecting into muscle, as an insulin injection into the muscle may lead to hypoglycemia," Subhankar Chowdhury, professor and head, department of endocrinology, IPGMER and SSKM Hospital, Kolkata said.

He was addressing the media at the release of the Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations (Fitter) India.

The key recommendations of Fitter are that the "shortest needles (currently 4mm in pens and 6mm in syringes), are safe, effective and less painful and should be the first line of choice in all patient categories".

"Despite the fact that India is ahead of the curve in using the shortest needles, there is disturbingly high rate of needle reuse with both syringes and pens," the expert said quoting the insulin injection technique questionnaire survey.